Continuing on what turned out to be our Baguio leg's theme - arts and culture - we head out to check BenCab museum, and a couple of other known touristy spots in Baguio.
Museum art didn’t excite me as much as finding an artsy wall – in the middle of Legarda Road on a random summer night – did though. There’s something pretentious about museums. Must be its cold white clean walls and flattering ambient lights, compared to street art’s warm and welcoming random dirt. Not riding on the high-art-low-art debate, but seriously, just what the fuck is art? You go to museums and see naked pictures of shit, and installations of what-have-you-junk and you end up asking yourself after, “the fuck did that mean?!”.
Museum art didn’t excite me as much as finding an artsy wall – in the middle of Legarda Road on a random summer night – did though. There’s something pretentious about museums. Must be its cold white clean walls and flattering ambient lights, compared to street art’s warm and welcoming random dirt. Not riding on the high-art-low-art debate, but seriously, just what the fuck is art? You go to museums and see naked pictures of shit, and installations of what-have-you-junk and you end up asking yourself after, “the fuck did that mean?!”.
Meanwhile, outside the imposing architecture of museums, a simple wall that’s covered in equally random junk with some words painted in loud colors - so loud that they move you - freely stands. The spirit of freedom is empowering. You know, for sure, that’s what art should be for.
Back to BenCab, it’s nice. It’s a bit off the main city, so be prepared to spend a little more. (Taxis offer to wait for you, since public transport on that part of town is rare, at PhP200 to 300/hr.) You might end up spending an hour or two, especially if you get engrossed walking around the beautiful landscaped gardens behind the museum’s main building. Which, by the way, is restricted. Prepare to pay an additional PhP150/each if you end up wandering beyond the restricted gardens. Be warned for there are only restricted signs, but nothing about paying additional. (I know. Crafty isn’t it?)
We then had a hearty lunch at La Comida de Antonio Ristorante – and as their ad says – it’s worth the climb. (It’s located at the 4th floor of La Azotea Building just along Session Road). It has a nice view of the city and they serve generous servings of very delicious food at a very reasonable price. We practically spent our last few days hopping and ticking the list of Baguio must-sees: Camp John Hay, Mines View Park, and so on.
Since we started traveling, Alex and I have been doing the rugged, edgy, and generally “less” touristy way. (Although, less is, of course, relative.) So, spending the day with a touristy checklist in mind is a first. For the way we have done things though, I find something to be true: traveling couples should have a more healthy friendship, than romance. Traveling is not always the fun and exciting picture perfect shot as it is often Instagrammed, is why. Traveling is tedious. It can be dangerous, and it is often life changing – either in grand or small ways. So, imagine being with someone who is not, at least, a kindred spirit. Being with someone whom you can’t be yourself with. Imagine relieving that memory – will it be a good one?
As such, I find that there’s a certain rhythm that people traveling together must master. A rhythm that only them can hear – a beat that may make or break them. This beat is trickier in romantic relationships, for it’s like having this imaginary third person – the relationship – which can either be a baggage or a joy to be around at times.
Struck by a wave of nostalgia, I was mulling on these thoughts on our last days in Baguio, as I was reminded of my mom. The cheap and beautiful varieties of flowers sold in Mines View Park would have made her ecstatic – but would have complained endlessly on the expensive dine outs. My girlfriends would have also loved that pretty little café in Sagada – but would definitely gag and make fun of the vegetarian menu. Meanwhile, here I am, missing my friends and family while traveling with another person - and a romance - and I wonder: how did I end up here? Where are we going?
The last item on our tick list was a sunset view at the infamous and creepy Diplomat Hotel. (Bribe the guard nicely if you get there after 5pm.) If you don’t care for scary sideshows however, head out to the circus that is SM. It also has a good sunset view.
We were then off early to Sagada the next day.